The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Kings basketball team played their second game of the 2025 season against the ‘Outsiders’ after a 28-day gap.

As a result of new access requirements for volunteers, there are teams who were unable to get enough players clearance to field a team or to enter the institution altogether.

“I felt intimidated at the gate. Once inside I felt normal,” said Justin Dator, 40, first-time visitor, “I expected more segregation. Once the game started, it’s just about basketball.”

The Kings competed with intensity. They jumped out to an early lead and played hard to the end. After the first quarter they led by four, at the half they pushed their advantage to seventeen, by the end of the third quarter the margin slipped to twelve before they closed out the game with a thirty point fourth quarter, for a final score of 91-66.

“As a kid, my mom would bring me to the East Gate on nights they had executions scheduled,” said Jack Kearns, 45, a first-time visitor. “I was a juvenile offender and she was a death penalty opponent trying to influence me to change.” Kearns is now a volunteer who fellowships for the Latter Day Saints on Sunday evenings in the chapel.

“The preparation and unselfish nature of the players on this team make them a joy to coach,” said Demond ‘Oola’ Lewis. “Everybody on this team is also a good member of the community and always contributes positively.”